AU2007100762A4 - Convertible canopy - Google Patents

Description

Convertible Canopy FIELD OF INVENTION 0 This invention relates to accessories for pick up trucks and utility vehicles in particular but not limited to a hinged hard lid that converts into a raised canopy over the cargo area of such vehicles.

BACKGROUND ART Prior art soft tonneau covers for covering the cargo area of pick up trucks and utility vehicles are known.

!0 The availability of hard or flat canopy lids for pick up trucks and utility vehicles is also known art.

In most cases the flat canopies or hard lids are constructed of a material such as fibre glass and are custom designed and fitted to existing trays and cargo areas of such vehicles.

A popular version for a utility vehicle is that which comprises a flat canopy lid which is hinged to a region of the cargo at the rear of the cabin of the vehicle that lifts in an upwards direction from the tailgate of the vehicle. The lid can be closed over the cargo area to form a closed and secure compartment.

It will be appreciated that the height of any equipment carried in the cargo area is restricted by the canopy lid and there are often times when large items such as wheel barrows, generators, air compressors etc or a large load of camping equipment such as for a long camping expedition cannot be carried with the lid in place or in the closed position.

Furthermore a flat canopy lid covering the cargo area of the utility vehicle improves the aerodynamic advantage of the vehicle resulting in substantial improvements in fuel consumption. Fixed raised canopies such as those of panel vans are usually less aerodynamically efficient as the vehicle travels through the air.

Prior art convertible canopies or hybrid covers which are hinged to the vehicle do not convert into raised canopies very well due to the fact that the sides of the raised canopy encroach and occupy room in the cargo area. Such prior art is described in US 6,435,594B1.

US 6,435,594B1 discloses a hard lid for a vehicle which transforms into a raised canopy but r- does not effectively carry out both tasks well. When the hard lid is in the non deployed

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configuration there are no benefits associated with a standard hard lid. This prior art canopy opens sideways in clam shell fashion providing access from the tailgate but includes the disadvantages that any objects along the side or from the cargo area are effectively inaccessible. With the numerous panels involved, the raised canopy can also become clumsy to operate, is harder to secure and loses any cosmetic or aesthetic features normally associated with conventional non converting canopy lids. Furthermore we believe the canopy of this prior art would also not have the inherent strength of the present invention due to the necessity of splitting of the centre panel in the clam shell operation.

The prior art is also compared to a conventional hinged hard lid which can be opened from the rear thereby providing full access to the cargo area. Prior art canopies are also able to provide complete security from theft and the elements which are both aesthetic and aero-dynamically ?0 efficient.

There is therefore a need for a convertible canopy that has an appealing aesthetic appearance which provides the security of a hard lid but also has the practicality of a raised canopy.

Importantly the canopy conversion must be easy to operate and retain the hinged facility wherein the canopy lid can be raised from the rear of the vehicle.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved convertible canopy for a utility vehicle or pick up truck that seeks to overcome or ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

3 ;STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION In one aspect therefore the invention resides in a convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle having a cargo area, including in combination,

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r- a rigid cover forming a closure member for the cargo area of the vehicle,

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the cover hinged by one or more releasable hinges at one end of the cargo area in a region behind the passenger cab of the vehicle to comprise a hinged canopy lid for the cargo area, the cover incorporating folding side panels stored in a non-deployed position under the cover, mechanical linkage means specially adapted to enable to the side panels to fold from the stored non-deployed position to a deployed and a substantially upright position, wherein operation, by releasing the hinges and raising the cover, the side panels are caused to deploy from under the cover and engage the sides of the cargo area thereby forming with the cover, a raised canopy, and whereby lowering the cover, the side panels are caused to return to their stored non-deployed position and the cover re-hinged for use as a hinged canopy lid.

Preferably the rigid cover is supported by a frame.

Preferably the frame is of a U shaped configuration and is secured to the vehicle by the one or more releasable hinges.

Preferably there are means to hold the lid open in the form of gas struts wherein the advantages of a conventional non converting hard lid are retained.

Preferably there is a locking means to lock the rigid cover to the vehicle in the closed position.

Preferably the locking means comprises one or more multiple barrel(s) and bolt(s) locks operated from the rear of the vehicle.

Preferably the one or more locks is operated by a single handle wherein by turning the handle half a turn allows the canopy lid to be opened in the manner of a conventional hinged hard lid but continues to secure both the canopy lid and the folding side panels in the stored position, and wherein a full turn of the handle releases the side panels from their non deployed stored position to deploy and engage the sides of the cargo area as the canopy is raised.

Preferably the locking means can be easily modified to be incorporated into a central locking system for simultaneous locking of the vehicle doors and the canopy lid.

0 Preferably the side panels or canopy walls are fixed to the frame only and not to the vehicle.

This means that in releasing all locks by a full turn of the handle, the canopy side walls are free to be deployed into the raised position. The canopy walls are assisted into the raised position preferably by gas struts which also push the rigid cover or roof panel into place. The transformation from a rigid cover into a raised canopy is completed by operating four over centre locking struts, In the alternative to gas struts, electrically operated servo means to also raise or lower the side panels can be adapted for an automated push button operation.

?0 Preferably there is a separate door panel mounted in the tail gate region of the vehicle which is able to be raised or lowered to complete the lockable canopy.

In a preferred version the side panels or canopy walls would include a lockable hinged window.

The window can be large enough to provide loading access from the side of the cargo area.

Preferably the rigid panel and the side panels are constructed from fibre glass having corresponding weight strength and moulding advantages. In the alternative metal panels or plastic or wooden panels can be used in place of the fibre glass.

Due to cost factors, carbon fibre construction is not practical however it would be an ideal material if construction costs can be reduced.

The raised canopy preferably seals the rear of the vehicle cabin via rubber seals where possible.

In some vehicles there is a lip around the rear window which would afford a seal for the rear section of the canopy.

In the alternative and in the absence of lip around the rear window, a clear plastic collapsible ri panel similar to that used in tent windows can be secured to the leading edges of each panel and raised with the panelling when the canopy is deployed. Security is provided by the panels

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being in very close proximity to the vehicle cabin and protection from elements is provided by the plastic seals.

The sides windows would be preferably constructed from Perspex T M however, soft plastic or even glass can be used in the alternative.

BRIEF DESCIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order for the invention to be better understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment in the non-deployed position functioning as a conventional canopy lid; Figure 2 shows the canopy in the deployed or raised position; Figure 3 shows the detail of the frame, gas struts and locking mechanisms locking the roof panel; Figure 4, 5 and 6 show rear views of the deployment of the canopy from the non deployed or lowered position to the deployed or raised position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings and initially the Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a preferred canopy according to the invention.

Figure 1 show the non-deployed canopy used as a hinged canopy lid for a utility or pick up vehicle. The canopy is attached preferably by a pair of hinges hinged to the rear portion of the cabin of the pick up truck or the utility vehicles.

I Figure 2 shows the canopy 10 in the fully deployed and raised position whereby the lid 1Oa now functions as a raised canopy over the cargo area 20 of the pick up truck 12 or utility vehicle. The canopy lid functions as the roof of the raised canopy where inside side panels 22, 24 are deployed from under the canopy to engage the sides 26, 28 of the cargo area.

Figure 3 shows detail of the frame 30, gas struts 32 and locking mechanism 34 of the canopy.

There is shown a shaped frame 30 which is hinged to the rear portion of the cabin of the utility vehicle or pick up truck by a pair of releasable hinges 14, 16. The lid is held open when it functions as a convention lid by a pair of gas struts 32, 35. The locking means to lock the canopy lid in a closed position is operated by a single handled lock 36 which can be rotated to release rear 37 side 38, 39 and front 40 locks. By turning the handle half a turn allows the canopy lid to be opened in the manner of a conventional lid as it draws in the bolt 37 from the rear of the vehicle. Fully turning the handle 36 releases pins 37, 38, 39, 40 the side panels from the non deployed stored position to deploy and engage the sides of the cargo area as the canopy is raised. The side walls are hinged to tie U-shape frame, not the utility. It will be obvious that the lock can be modified to be incorporated within a central locking system for the simultaneous locking of the vehicle doors and the canopy lid.

?0 Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the rear of the vehicle and canopy in various stages of deployment. In Figure 4 there is shown a canopy 10 in the lowered or lid functioning position in the non deployed position.

Figure 5 shows the deployment of the canopy lid 10 Oa wherein the canopy lid has been released from the sides of the vehicle by rotating the locking handle 36 and the canopy is now raised with the assistance of gas struts 32,34 wherein the side panels are deployed from a position underneath the canopy lid to a substantial upright position as shown in Figure 6.

Not shown are rubber seals which seals the canopy to the rear of the vehicle where required or an optional lip around the rear window which will afford a seal for the rear section of the canopy.

In the alternative, a clear plastic collapsible panel such as those used in tent windows can be secured to the leading edges of each panel and raised with the panelling when the canopy is deployed. Side windows and panels can be constructed from Perspex T M however soft plastic or even glass can be used in the alternative where the panels can be folded flat without having to bend the panels.

Variations SIt will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this 10 invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (19)

1. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle having a cargo area, including in combination (N r- a rigid cover forming a closure member for the cargo area of the vehicle, O the cover hinged by one or more releasable hinges at one end of the cargo area in a region behind the passenger cab of the vehicle to comprise a hinged canopy lid for the cargo area, the cover incorporating folding side panels stored in a non-deployed position under the cover, mechanical linkage means specially adapted to enable to the side panels to fold from the stored non-deployed position to a deployed and a substantially upright position, wherein operation, ?0 by releasing the hinges and raising the cover, the side panels are caused to deploy from under the cover and engage the sides of the cargo area thereby forming with the cover, a raised canopy, and whereby lowering the cover, the side panels are caused to return to their stored non- deployed position and the cover re-hinged for use as a hinged canopy lid.

2. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the rigid cover is supported by a frame.

3. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the frame is of a U shaped configuration and is secured to the vehicle by the one or more releasable hinges. k "4

4. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of the above ;claims wherein there are means to hold the lid open in the form of gas struts whereby the advantages of a conventional non converting hard lid are retained.

5. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of the above N claims wherein there is a locking means to lock the rigid cover to the vehicle in the closed position. O

6. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the locking means comprises one or more multiple barrel(s) and bolt(s) locks operated from the rear of the vehicle.

7. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the one or more locks is operated by a single handle wherein by turning the handle half a turn allows the canopy lid to be opened in the manner of a conventional hinged hard lid but continues to secure both the canopy lid and the folding side panels in the stored position, and wherein a full turn of the handle releases the side panels from their non deployed stored position to deploy and engage the sides of the cargo area as the canopy is raised. _?0

8. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in Claim 7 wherein, the locking means is easily modified to be incorporated into a central locking system for simultaneous locking of the vehicle doors and the canopy lid.

9. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the side panels or canopy walls are fixed to the frame only and not to the vehicle, and where in releasing all locks by a full turn of the handle, the canopy side walls are free to be deployed into the raised position.

10. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility, as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the canopy walls are assisted into the raised position by gas struts which also push the rigid cover or roof panel into place and the transformation from a rigid cover into a raised canopy is completed by operating over centre locking struts. 1

11. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in claim 10 wherein ;in the alternative or in addition to gas struts, there are electrically operated servo means to also raise or lower the side panels adapted for an automated push button operation.

12. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of the above (N claims wherein there is a separate door panel mounted in the tail gate region of the vehicle which is able to be raised or lowered to complete the lockable canopy. O

13. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of the above wherein claims above the side panels or canopy walls include a lockable hinged window large enough to provide loading access from the side of the cargo area.

14. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of the above claims wherein, the rigid panel and the side panels are constructed from fibre glass having corresponding weight, strength and moulding advantages or in the alternative or in addition are metal panels or plastic or wooden panels in place of the fibre glass.

A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 14 where the canopy is of carbon fibre construction. ?0

16. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the raised canopy seals the rear of the vehicle cabin via rubber seals.

17. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of the above claims wherein there is a lip around the rear window which affords a seal for the rear section of the canopy.

18. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of the above claims wherein there is a clear plastic collapsible panel secured to the leading edges of each panel and raised with the panelling when the canopy is deployed and wherein security is provided by the panels being in close proximity to the vehicle cabin and protection from elements is provided by the plastic seals.

19. A convertible canopy for a pick up truck or utility vehicle, as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the side windows are constructed from Perspex T M or, soft plastic or glass. ?0